o small or large-scale theater production would be complete without behind-the-scenes talent of set designers and decorators. The Three Lakes Theater Company relies on two people who might be called experts in their fields. In this part of our site, you will have the chance to meet Lynn Bonack, who serves as the set decorator, and Chuck Hunter, who serves as a consultant for set designs.  You will will find out what advice they have to offer small, local theater companies on a limited budget.

Known for its rocky terrain and colorful flora, Scotland becomes a reality under the watchful eye of set designer and decorator Lynn Bonack. Bonack takes great pride in creating realistic sets with attention to tiny details. (Photo by Linda Goldsworthy) 

Meet Artistic Director Lynn Bonack

Meet Set Director Dan Halverson

Set Decorator and Designer- Lynn Bonack

With her mother and grandmother’s artistic legacy to build on, Brigadoon set designer and decorator Lynn Bonack found that creativity came easily. "I was nurtured from early on," explained the mother of two who grew up in Wheaton, Illinois. "I even remember making yellow paint from dandelions."

Bonack soon aspired to a more complex art form – design. "I built a 20-story fort with my brother Doug out of old railroad ties," she laughed, recalling her parent’s fear at discovering their feat. "I guess you could say I started set construction at an early age."

Her talents soon sent her to Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota where she studied art and psychology. "I took a full course on murals, and we studied in Chicago and Minneapolis," she explained. "The scale makes a huge difference in learning."

While at Bethel she would meet her future husband, Martin, who also shared a love of the art of taxidermy. The pair married in 1981 and would go on to own and operate Safari World in Three Lakes, a company specializing in large game taxidermy. "We did taxidermy work and backgrounds for various museums and personal residences," said Bonack. "Martin and I also did the artwork for the Journey into the Wild exhibit in Hazelhurst." The walled scene stood 20 feet high by 100 feet long.

Bonack put some of the same skills to use completing set designs for Cinderella, Oklahoma, and Fiddler on the Roof.  Cinderella stands out in my mind for special effects, turning walls and the creation of fantasy," said Bonack of the 16 foot high and 24 foot long castle design that kept audiences wondering.

She went on to explain that with each production, the sets keep getting more elaborate. Garbowicz agreed, wonderingly recalling the TLTC’s first $200 set cost. "We built the set for Peter Pan out of cardboard the night before the production. Cardboard beds, dog houses, you name it – cardboard."

But cardboard will be hard to find on the Brigadoon set according to Bonack. She estimated costs at about $2,000 for her fourth production. "I’ve done a lot of research for "Brigadoon" and with Scotland’s rocky terrain, a lot will go into the landscape and building," she said. "The design appears as I look at the stage. I don’t really do sketches. I do it all in my head."

Director of Set Design and Construction-Dan Halverson

As with any community-oriented production, volunteers are very important to making the set a reality. Dan Halverson went from being a volunteer on the set construction crew, to stage manager, to Director of Set Design and Construction. Here, Halverson steadies a roof component for the set of Brigadoon. (Photo by Linda Goldsworthy)

Contact Set Decorator Lynn Bonack

Page last updated on 06/04/2008